It is one of the highest reported death tolls among repeated recent cases in which people have been killed while looking for aid.

At least 18 Palestinians have been killed after an Israeli drone strike targeted a Hamas police unit attempting to assert control over a market in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, a doctor and eyewitnesses told the BBC.

Health authorities say Israeli strikes in Gaza killed at least 21 people. More than half of those killed late Tuesday and early Wednesday reportedly were women and children.